Jason Reed/Thinkstock(SANTIAGO) -- The North Central area of Chile was struck by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake Wednesday, according to local authorities.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was located 55 miles north of Coquimbo, and 298 miles north of Santiago, the nation's capital.

The Interior Ministry Office says that so far, there have been no reports of death, injury, or damages to buildings; however, several phone lines in the area were reported to have been down, preventing further communication regarding status updates.

Chile is no stranger to large earthquakes. The most recent one happened in 2005, in the area of Tarapaca, and was a magnitude of 7.8.